We admitted we were powerless...
#1
We admitted we were powerless...
Well, I'd always suspected it, but now I know for sure.
My Olds has a drinking problem.
Now, we all know how ingenious addicts can be, how well they can hide their addictions and look for all the world like they are consuming the same amount as everyone else. My Olds was no exception, keeping its fuel gauge unreliable, but not actually erratic, never seeming like it wanted another gallon too badly (well, there was that one time when it ran out of gas with the gauge showing over a quarter full, when I knew I had gone nearly to empty a number of times, but, well, it made me feel like that was my fault, and I bought it some more...). I tried to take it easy, to go one day at a time. I'd put in a little bit more gas, just for today.
So, finally, last week, I went on a bit of a bender and filled it all the way up. The next day, I noticed that the Olds's rear end seemed to be dragging a bit, but I didn't think anything of it. I drove the car around, having a good time, not thinking about tomorrow. Today, it seemed like it was time to pay the piper, so, with the gauge on two thirds, I pulled into a gas station and filled 'er up again.
She took 18.5 US gallons. Hmmmm... that gauge again...
I added up the miles since last week's fill-up: 175.
So I did the math: 175miles ÷ 18.5gal = 9.4mpg
Now, if this were the typical 455-powered, 4,300 pound '73 Delta I'd just shrug it off, but this is a 4,300 pound '73 Delta powered by a 110hp 260 from a '78 Cutlass, through a TH375 and a 3.08 rear, which does zero to sixty in about a minute and a half, being driven sedately (because there is no other way to drive it) on smooth back country roads with mellow hills and essentially no stop-and-go, at speeds between 40 and 60 mph.
Anyone have any ideas on what sort of intervention might save this lost soul?
Any of you '70s fullsize 455 drivers keep track of your MPG?
I've got the parts of a number of big and small blocks at this point, and plan to build it a decent engine, but that's not happening now, as I've got plenty to do, so I've got to make do with this one for a while.
Thanks,
- Eric
My Olds has a drinking problem.
Now, we all know how ingenious addicts can be, how well they can hide their addictions and look for all the world like they are consuming the same amount as everyone else. My Olds was no exception, keeping its fuel gauge unreliable, but not actually erratic, never seeming like it wanted another gallon too badly (well, there was that one time when it ran out of gas with the gauge showing over a quarter full, when I knew I had gone nearly to empty a number of times, but, well, it made me feel like that was my fault, and I bought it some more...). I tried to take it easy, to go one day at a time. I'd put in a little bit more gas, just for today.
So, finally, last week, I went on a bit of a bender and filled it all the way up. The next day, I noticed that the Olds's rear end seemed to be dragging a bit, but I didn't think anything of it. I drove the car around, having a good time, not thinking about tomorrow. Today, it seemed like it was time to pay the piper, so, with the gauge on two thirds, I pulled into a gas station and filled 'er up again.
She took 18.5 US gallons. Hmmmm... that gauge again...
I added up the miles since last week's fill-up: 175.
So I did the math: 175miles ÷ 18.5gal = 9.4mpg
Now, if this were the typical 455-powered, 4,300 pound '73 Delta I'd just shrug it off, but this is a 4,300 pound '73 Delta powered by a 110hp 260 from a '78 Cutlass, through a TH375 and a 3.08 rear, which does zero to sixty in about a minute and a half, being driven sedately (because there is no other way to drive it) on smooth back country roads with mellow hills and essentially no stop-and-go, at speeds between 40 and 60 mph.
Anyone have any ideas on what sort of intervention might save this lost soul?
Any of you '70s fullsize 455 drivers keep track of your MPG?
I've got the parts of a number of big and small blocks at this point, and plan to build it a decent engine, but that's not happening now, as I've got plenty to do, so I've got to make do with this one for a while.
Thanks,
- Eric
#3
#4
Yes, choke completely off and properly adjusted, carb gone over, float level correct, timing as advanced as it can be and still start (about 22°BTDC at idle, if I recall), new HEI module and Delco wires.
... And if you were riding in the car, you still wouldn't know it was moving .
- Eric
... And if you were riding in the car, you still wouldn't know it was moving .
- Eric
#5
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
The 260 is NOT the sledgehammer approach to 73 Delta 88's. That's why Olds never made them with a little engine that can't in the first place.
9.4 mpg? Well buddy I can only say this. From the sounds of it you never really tracked your mileage or mpg from the start. So now that you are, you shouldn't be surprised. You know that 260 is working way harder than it was designed to with a car that big. I'm with John and Rob, sort of. Slap in at least a 350.
FWIW, the fuel gage in those cars will read nearly full until you go at least 150 miles. (hiway - at least my 73 Custom Cruiser would - but it had a 455 in it that would move the car nicely) Then it drops off like the grand canyon.
If your rear end is sagging ( I mean if the car's rear end is sagging ) check that back suspension. You da car guy and know all this stuff we're spoutin....
9.4 mpg? Well buddy I can only say this. From the sounds of it you never really tracked your mileage or mpg from the start. So now that you are, you shouldn't be surprised. You know that 260 is working way harder than it was designed to with a car that big. I'm with John and Rob, sort of. Slap in at least a 350.
FWIW, the fuel gage in those cars will read nearly full until you go at least 150 miles. (hiway - at least my 73 Custom Cruiser would - but it had a 455 in it that would move the car nicely) Then it drops off like the grand canyon.
If your rear end is sagging ( I mean if the car's rear end is sagging ) check that back suspension. You da car guy and know all this stuff we're spoutin....
#7
You're working that 260 to death. It has to gulp fuel to move that bigass Delta around. Ethanol-laced fuel ain't helping any.
Even after I built the 468 for my 73 ragtop it would deliver 14-15 mpg on the road. Before that, the car with 2.73 gearing and a 455 with a burnt valve would get 16 OTR and about 12 in town.
Yank that teeny engine, save the valve covers, timing cover, oil pan and crankshaft (it'll fit a 350), and let it get recycled into a Toyota.
Yah, I know full-size 221/260/289 Fords and 265/283 Chevys did OK, but cars were not as heavy in those days as they were by the early 70s, nor were they strapped with power-robbing emissions devices. Well- maybe you could call a cast iron PowerGlide a power-robbing device.
Even after I built the 468 for my 73 ragtop it would deliver 14-15 mpg on the road. Before that, the car with 2.73 gearing and a 455 with a burnt valve would get 16 OTR and about 12 in town.
Yank that teeny engine, save the valve covers, timing cover, oil pan and crankshaft (it'll fit a 350), and let it get recycled into a Toyota.
Yah, I know full-size 221/260/289 Fords and 265/283 Chevys did OK, but cars were not as heavy in those days as they were by the early 70s, nor were they strapped with power-robbing emissions devices. Well- maybe you could call a cast iron PowerGlide a power-robbing device.
#8
Another guy just posted tonight that his '75 Delta convertible (not sure if it's a 350 or 455) got almost 14mpg on the highway driving 400-something miles today from PA to the South.
And, like I say, this is on back roads in high gear at "optimum MPG" speeds .
Maybe this will get me motivated to actually start building a motor .
- Eric
#9
#10
Are you sure your speedometer is clocking miles properly? Is it calibrated correctly?
Other than that, you're close to the mileage my 500 HP 468 gets with 3.42 gears. I would go for the swap, even my mild 455 gets 12-14 mpg.
Other than that, you're close to the mileage my 500 HP 468 gets with 3.42 gears. I would go for the swap, even my mild 455 gets 12-14 mpg.
#12
I will check it, but since the speedometer reads EXACTLY correct by both GPS and roadside radar signs, I doubt that the odo is too far off.
- Eric
#16
I think Rocketraider hit the nail on the head. You are working the little 260 to death. It is straining every muscle it has (not many) to just move that big car. It is time to turn the 260 into rebar.
#18
I agree with all above.
Just checked the odometer - drove the same route to drop off and then pick up child at high school (finals week) 4.9 miles in '98 BMW with correct sized tires, 4.9 miles in Olds.
I did the math - if I drive this car about 3,000 miles a year (it'd be more if it had a roof ), and gas costs about $4.00 a gallon (we've been lucky this week, but I doubt that'll hold), and I can squeeze 15mpg out of her with the 350 I have most of the parts for, then I will save $500 a year .
So I actually save money by swapping in a bigger motor !
- Eric
Just checked the odometer - drove the same route to drop off and then pick up child at high school (finals week) 4.9 miles in '98 BMW with correct sized tires, 4.9 miles in Olds.
I did the math - if I drive this car about 3,000 miles a year (it'd be more if it had a roof ), and gas costs about $4.00 a gallon (we've been lucky this week, but I doubt that'll hold), and I can squeeze 15mpg out of her with the 350 I have most of the parts for, then I will save $500 a year .
So I actually save money by swapping in a bigger motor !
- Eric
#19
I did consider that question. A buddy of mine tore his hair out over a 12mpg '72 1300cc Beetle for about 3 years before he realized his odometer was off.
I will check it, but since the speedometer reads EXACTLY correct by both GPS and roadside radar signs, I doubt that the odo is too far off.
- Eric
I will check it, but since the speedometer reads EXACTLY correct by both GPS and roadside radar signs, I doubt that the odo is too far off.
- Eric
This is sounding more and more like the precursor to why I just built a 455 for the convertible. If I'm going to get 12 MPG w/ a 350 2BBL I might as well swap in a 455 and have more fun driving it. lol!
#20
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#22
231v6
Speaking of crappy motors , my parents had a 81 CS with a 231V6 in it ! Great Motor .... NOT ! The thing had to be rebuilt after like 70,000 miles , and had absolutely no power what so ever . Finally my dad blew the head gasket which mixed oil and coolant together from gunning it in the driveway to get un stuck in the snow . ( he was old and disabled ) and that was the end of that car .
Last edited by oldsguybry; June 15th, 2012 at 10:23 AM.
#23
Try this, maybe good for 1 mpg, may 2, ha ha.
Taller filter, flip the lid, she'd breath a little, maybe
catch her breath. Couldn't hurt, might help? If that
doesn't help, drop in the 455...
Taller filter, flip the lid, she'd breath a little, maybe
catch her breath. Couldn't hurt, might help? If that
doesn't help, drop in the 455...
#25
Speaking of crappy motors , my parents had a 81 CS with a 231V6 in it ! Great Motor .... NOT ! The thing had to be rebuilt after like 70,000 miles , and had absolutely no power what so ever . Finally my dad blew the head gasket which mixed oil and coolant together from gunning it in the driveway to get un stuck in the snow . ( he was old and disabled ) and that was the end of that car .
I used to call it my gutless Cutlass until I got rid of the 267. A couple years later I put a 455 in it. Then you should have seen what it would do to tires!
I ended up putting the 400 sb in an 81 Z28.
#27
I agree with all above.
Just checked the odometer - drove the same route to drop off and then pick up child at high school (finals week) 4.9 miles in '98 BMW with correct sized tires, 4.9 miles in Olds.
I did the math - if I drive this car about 3,000 miles a year (it'd be more if it had a roof ), and gas costs about $4.00 a gallon (we've been lucky this week, but I doubt that'll hold), and I can squeeze 15mpg out of her with the 350 I have most of the parts for, then I will save $500 a year .
So I actually save money by swapping in a bigger motor !
- Eric
Just checked the odometer - drove the same route to drop off and then pick up child at high school (finals week) 4.9 miles in '98 BMW with correct sized tires, 4.9 miles in Olds.
I did the math - if I drive this car about 3,000 miles a year (it'd be more if it had a roof ), and gas costs about $4.00 a gallon (we've been lucky this week, but I doubt that'll hold), and I can squeeze 15mpg out of her with the 350 I have most of the parts for, then I will save $500 a year .
So I actually save money by swapping in a bigger motor !
- Eric
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